The Irish standard., 1887-06-11
A PRINCESS FIRST COMMUNION
BY h. B. C..

U S6SO
BY b. B. C..
Although Marie Antoinette superin-
tended, herself, the education of her
daughter, who was under the direction
of the Baroness de Mackan, one period
nevertheless, seemed to the King to me-
rit his special attention. It was the
time of her First Communion. When
the tempest of revolution threatened to
engulf everything about him, he believed
he could not do enough to save from
shipwreck the faith of his fathers and
strengthen it in the hearts of his chill
dren. After the Princess was considered
sufficiently instructed as to the truths
of religion, and exercised in the practice
of the virtues proper to her age, he
thought fit to have her 80 through the
! ecclesiastical examination to which all
children are subjected before being ad-
mitted to the most solemn of Sacraments.
It was not until after that examination,
which lasted through several public ses-
sions, that the King set the day for his
daughters First Communion.
1t was formerly the custom at the
court of France for the King to present
the princesses at their First Communion
with diamonds, which were destined to
serve, later, as ornaments on grand oc-
casions. This custom seemed to Louis
XVI. to be contrary to the spirit OF the
Faith, and he decided to discontinue it..
One day he caused the young Princess
to be summoned to the apartments Of
the Queen, and said TO her:
perhaps you have been told, my
daughter, of certain casket usually
given as a First Communion present;
but believe you too sensible at the mo-
ment when you should be exclusively
occupied with the ornamenting of your
heart, and the making of it sanctuary
worthy of the Divinity, to attach very
great Importance to personal adorn-
ments. I might, my child, let that ex-
PLANTATION suffice to you. But I add a
second reason: the poverty Of the peo-
pie is extreme, and I know that you
would rather do without jewels than
feel that the poor are in want of bread" !"
The First Communion of Madame
Royale took place at Versailles, and was
accompanied by very touching incidents.
It occurred on the 9Th of April, 1870.
The pious Princess was surrounded by
children of the people, who also accom-
plished this duty for the first time. The
example of equality before God created
great sensation.
On the morning of that solemn day,
the Queen having led her daughter to
the Kings apartment, said to her: ':My
daughter, kneel at your fathers feet, and
ask his blessing The young girl obey
ed. and the King much moved, extended
his hands and said few words to her,
so touching that it is impossible to read
the record of them without emotion.
The heart of the monarch seems revealed,
and one would think that the son Of ST..
Louis was inspired by the sublime
words of our Divine Saviour, addressed
to His Apostles on the night preceding
His crucifxion.
II bless you from the bottom Of my
heart, my daughter. begging that God
may grant you the grace to appreciate
the great action you are about to per-
form. Your heart is pure and innocent
in His sight; your prayers must, then, be
agreeable to Him. Offer them up for
your mother and for me. Ask Him to
grant me the necessary graces to render
happy those over whom He has given
me control, and whom I must consider
as my children. Beg Him to preserve
in this Kingdom the purity of the Faith
Consider, my daughter, that our holy
religion is the source of happiness, and
our support in the adversities of life.
Never think that you will be shielded
from them; you are very young, butyou
have already seen your father in atflic-
tion. You know not, my child, for what
Providence designs you-whether you
will remain in this country, or whether
you will go to live in another. But what
ever spot the hand of God places you,
remember that you must edify by your
example, and do good whenever you
have the opportunity. But, above all,
relieve the unfortunate whenever it is in
your power. God has caused us to be
born in the rank we hold only that we
may work for the happiness of the peo-
pie, and console them in their troubles.
Go to the altar, where you are expected,
and implore the God of Mercy never to
let you forget your fathers advice"
We know by what an example of piety
and heroic resignation the good King
sanctioned these words. All know, too,